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Trinidad and Tobago closed off their 2025 Concacaf Under-15 Championship campaign on a winning note this afternoon, as they edged Guatemala 1-0 at Oranjestad in Aruba today.
The game was decided on two rapid counter-attacks in the first half—both involving burly makeshift centre-forward Jaylon Roberts.
First, in the 13th minute, Roberts threaded a superbly weighted pass through the Guatemala defence for Kevez Quintero to run on to and finish clinically, with a shot across opposing goalkeeper Mario De Paz and into the far corner.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Then, in the 35th minute, Roberts got on the end of a ball from Jeremai Nanton and rounded Paz before being tripped—just outside of Guatemala’s penalty area.
Puerto Rican referee Ray Torres flashed the red card at De Paz and Guatemala never really looked like overpowering Trinidad and Tobago thereafter.
Incidentally, it was the Central American team that started brighter. The young Soca Warriors barely touched the ball in the first five minutes of the contest, as Guatemalans exchanged passes across the field in neat triangular patterns.
Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Christian Telfer, adequately guarded by central defenders JaiMarley John and Aden Montano, was scarcely troubled though. And, instead, coach Densill Theobald’s troops started to threaten on the counter.
Roberts was central to the Warriors’ threat with his best showing of the tournament so far, as he held up the ball and linked with his teammates well.
A goal and a player up at the interval, Trinidad and Tobago never looked back and fully deserved the result by the end—and might have even extended their lead, with substitute Adasa Richardson again menacing in transition.
The 6-2 semifinal trouncing from Jamaica apart, the young Warriors leave Aruba with four wins from five matches in League B, which is the second tier of the confederation’s youth tournament.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-1-3): 1.Christian Telfer (GK); 4.Kyen Anderson, 5.Aden Montano, 3.JaiMarley John (captain), 2.Sebastian James; 14.Oshea Watson, 16.Matthew Lee Young; 9.Kevez Quintero (11.Adasa Richardson 50); 7.Jeremai Nanton (8.Ackim Duncan 36), 13.Jaylon Roberts (15.Antoni James 50), 10.Reagan Rowe (12.Samuel Balfour 36).
Unused substitutes: 18.Levi Williams (GK), 6.Deron Blackman, 17.Aaden Jones.
Coach: Densill Theobald.
Guatemala (4-2-3-1): 12.Mario De Paz (GK) [Red card 35]; 17.Rene Aguilar, 13.Guillermo Quinones (3.Jorge Chonay 36), 4.Joao Martinez, 7.Claudio Albizuris (2.Nicholas Torres 36); 16.Joshua Perez, 15.Carlos Zelada (captain); 18.Dereck Alvarado (6.Williams Villagran 36), 10.Cristofer Pacay, 8.Adrian Castillo (14.Jorge Yol 26); 9.Josue Barrios (1.Nicholas Merida GK 36).
Unused substitute: 5.Anthony Coc.
Coach: Edgar Cotto.
Referee: Ray Torres (Puerto Rico).
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
This is indeed heartening to hear. Give them the resources and exposure that is needed for them to continue to excel.